$7,640

120

That Which Came Before

Parables & Prophecies of the Golden Ones is a sequel to my first book Hymns & Wretched Offerings to the Golden Ones, which was a collection of artwork and poetry dedicated to the Golden Ones, the demons that inhabit man. The book gathered artwork from some of the top names in fantasy and horror art such as Bob Eggleton, LA Williams, Paul Komoda, Sam Araya, and Jim Pavelec, and paired their diabolical images with psalm-like poetry from contemporary poets.

Idiivil, The Rebirth of Sin by Jim Pavelec

Artwork by Allen Williams

That Which Will Be

Parables & Prophecies will further pay tribute to the Golden Ones. New contributors such as Todd Lockwood, Kekai Kotaki, Mark Nelson, Yoann Lossel, Andy Brase, Paul McCarroll, and Anthony Jones will join the fiendish craftsmen of the first book to raise Parables & Prophecies to a level of visceral abomination unsustainable to normal human comprehension. The short form poems of Hymns have evolved into epic parables, delving deeper into the weaknesses of the ignorant on the one hand, and basking in the succulent joys of the flesh on the other. This book is for the unflinching seeker of truth. Turn away from those books that would have you feel shame in indulgence, and recite with glory that which the Golden Ones offer unto you.

Artwork by Jim Pavelec

Courage is required if you embrace their message. Turn the pages slowly, and wander carefully through the labyrinthine corridors of their world. Piece by piece they will show you the great wonders. Patience now. Your greed is understandable, but it must be tempered for the time being. Undertaking all that they have to offer at once would surely fracture your sanity, and leave you as another pile of useless human flotsam. In Parables & Prophecies you will be exposed for the first time to the landscapes of their world. Vistas so eerily beautiful that you will surely question your senses. So gather yourselves once again, and prepare for the honor of knowledge.

Artwork by Jim Pavelec

Artwork by Yoann Lossel

A Lofty Goal

As I am one to constantly complain about the mistreatment of artists in my industry, I am going to put my money where my mouth is. A percentage of every dollar raised above the funding goal will go into a pool to be split up among the artists and writers based on how many pieces they did. I am already paying them for their contributions, so this would be a bonus for their hard work and dedication to this project.

The Specifics

Parables & Prophecies will be a 9" x 12", 128 page hard cover book. It will feature sixteen color plates, as well as a golden silk bookmark. This edition will be limited to a run of 1000. All books are signed and numbered.

Artwork by Jim Pavelec

Artwork by Stephen Somers

Special thanks to Kurt Ackerman and Aimee Wodda for supplying the audio and video.

Risks and challenges

THE RITUALISTS

Within these books you will find the work of a group I am dubbing the Ritualists. Many would categorize us as Symbolists or Surrealists, but those movements are of the past. We are moving boldly into the future, creating a new iconography for what a "demon" should be. The title tells the truth of it; art for us is a ritual. It is a ceremony that brings us closer to creation. We each strive for a stylized realism in what we create, and combine that with grandiose epic fantasy and surreal horror.

Speaking solely for myself, I have no god, and no soul. I will partake in no religion because they are all fiction, and I will rejoice in no afterlife because none exist. I do believe, though, that man has need of some form of ritual. Therefore, I choose to create my own fictions. Each day I wake up and put pencil to paper and create something. It is my ritual, and it brings me unending joy.

The subject matter of the Ritualists is dark, first and foremost. We want to confront you with that which makes you uncomfortable, but rendered in such a beautiful fashion that you cannot look away. It is organic, sexual, visceral, and brutal. Because of this, you are not going to be able to find our work in your local Barnes & Nobles or Books-A-Million. That is why we need your help to prosper. No artistic movement can thrive without benefactors, and thanks to sites like Kickstarter, we can bring our unadulterated work directly to you.
So if you were wondering where the next Lovecraft, Barker, Barlowe, Giger, or Beksinski will come from, look no further, and prepare for pandemic bliss. Pick up a copy of these books and see for yourself, if you dare.

The artists are set, and the printer is true. There is one risk hidden within an undertaking such as this faithful reader. Should the Golden Ones become dissatisfied with their loyal servant during the execution of this project, they may see fit to obliterate me bodily from this world. Short of my untimely demise, you will have your books and rewards on time.

FAQ

Support this project

Select this reward

Pledge $5 or more
About $5

You, oh Offspring of Debauchery, will receive a .pdf preview excerpt from "Parables", fully illustrated, entitled "The Parable of Discontent." This will be a sneak peek of things to come, and will be delivered to everyone who donates $5 or more.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

Hail to these Sycophants of Sin, for their $50 donation will earn them a signed and numbered copy of "Parables & Prophecies", as well as a signed and numbered hard cover copy of the first book, "Hymns & Wretched Offerings to the Golden Ones."

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $60 or more
About $60

Your $60 donation will gain your reprieve from the bowels of oblivion, and reward you with a signed and numbered copy of the book with an original half page demon drawing done on the inside front cover.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $85 or more
About $85

You are a true visionary, and a favorite in the eyes of Our Masters. For your $85 you will receive a signed and numbered copy of both books with a half page demon drawing on the inside front cover of "Parables & Prophecies."

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

Raise your fist in rage, and slam down your hundred bucks. You will be rewarded with a signed and numbered copy of "Parables & Prophecies" with an original full page demon drawing done on the inside front cover.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $125 or more
About $125

Choice is the great gift of the Golden Ones, and you shall have yours for $125. You can receive a copy of "Parables & Prophecies", along with an original 9" x 12" drawing that was used in the book, or you can receive a signed and numbered copy of both books with a full page demon drawing on the inside front cover of "Parables."

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $880 or more
About $880

Infinitely wise and fiercely brutal, you will give an accounting of the reign of the Golden Ones, and for your service, and $880, you will possess a copy of both books and an original 12" x 18" oil painting from "Parables & Prophecies.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

The Demon Twins, Brother and Sister to us all. You have achieved the highest honor. Claim a copy of both books, signed and numbered, and an original 12" x 18" oil painting of you as one of the Golden Ones. The others shall weep in jealousy.